eNews
April/May 2023
The Measure of Public Health
Greetings Deaconess Community,
 
In April we joined millions across the country in recognition of National Public Health Week and Black Maternal Health Week by honoring the legacy and contributions of those who have made and are making strides to improve the health and well-being of our people and communities in the bi-state region.

I began the month by celebrating the profound legacy of Dr. William C. Banton II, the first director of the St. Louis County Department of Health at the John C. Murphy Health Center in Berkeley. This year Dr. Kanika Cunningham, the director of the St. Louis County Department of Public Health, set out to honor Dr. Banton and recognize the lasting impact he has had on the healthcare community. He began his tenure at the Health Department in 1973. Dr. Banton designed the county’s Department of Community Health and Medical Care. He was known as a trailblazer who “modernized the office” by designing and implementing a new, modern health department. In addition to many professional accolades, leadership roles, teaching at medical school hospitals, and serving as a war veteran with a high ranking, Dr. Banton was also known for his genuine care and concern for patients.

Notably, after earning his medical degree from Howard University in 1946, Dr. Banton interned at Homer G. Phillips Hospital — the only teaching hospital west of the Mississippi River to produce black doctors and nurses and to serve the city’s Black residents. While interning, Dr. Banton met his wife Dr. Milagros T. Roman Banton. She and her children attended the celebration honoring her late husband. 

Mid-month, during Black Maternal Health Week, I had the privilege of joining community partners in support of the introduction of the Missouri Birth Index report. In partnership with the National Birth Equity Collaborative (NBEC), St. Louis Integrated Health Network (IHN) published a report on birth equity in our region that identifies the impact of indicators of social determinants of health (e.g. access to healthy foods and transportation) and root causes (e.g. gender inequality in earnings, housing, and education) in relation to racial disparities in infant mortality. The Index reflects that Black infant mortality is significantly higher than White infant mortality across multiple counties in Missouri. Similarly, nationwide Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women, as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports. With the Index, advocates in Missouri now have a tool to call in healthcare providers and governing bodies to do their part to achieve equal outcomes for Black babies that affect the families, neighborhoods, and the bi-state region in which we live. 

“Birth Equity,” as the report states, “is the belief that all people are valued, have fundamental human rights, and should be supported by their governments and health systems to achieve the best possible health outcomes across the reproductive lifespan.”

The science now confirms that the bodies of Black women in this nation carry and pass along trauma and toxic stress in utero, affecting the lives and birth outcomes of mother and child. I advocate for whole woman health and well-being inclusive of but not limited to her reproductive years. This is an important first step among many more that must be taken to equalize life outcomes for all people.
 
Women and birthing people from all walks of life are coming together in this region thinking generationally for health and well-being. As April was the designated time to celebrate public health, we recognize all public health servants who help our region realize health equity and health justice including St. Louis County Department of Health Director Dr. Kanika Cunningham, St. Louis County Deputy Director, Department of Public Health Kate Donaldson, St. Louis City Director of Health Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis, and City of St. Louis Commissioner of Health Victoria Anwuri.

In service to the will of the Spirit and the mission,
 
Bethany Johnson-Javois
President & CEO
Deaconess Foundation
Dr. Kanika Cunningham, St. Louis County Department of Health Director
Kate Donaldson, St. Louis County Deputy Director, Department of Public Health
Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis, St. Louis City Director of Health
Victoria Anwuri, City of St. Louis Commissioner of Health
FROM THE FOUNDATION
Deaconess has continued to closely monitor local and national COVID-19 guidelines. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), widespread uptake of highly effective COVID-19 vaccines, high rates of vaccine- and infection-induced immunity at the population level, and the availability of effective therapeutics have moved the pandemic to a different phase.

Using a comprehensive approach to assessing COVID-19 community levels, the CDC has identified the St. Louis region as a community with low levels of COVID-19. Guided by the information and recommendations of the CDC and local public health agencies, Deaconess Center for Child Well-Being will lift the mask mandate.

As of Monday, May 1, 2023 masks are now optional. Individuals should continue to make decisions that are best for their own health and well-being. Masking is still strongly encouraged at the Center for any individual who shows signs or symptoms of a respiratory illness or those who may be immunocompromised. Masks are available at the Center upon request.

Please continue to follow the CDC's recommendations for isolation after exposures, including getting tested if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19.

We will continue to monitor the guidelines and pandemic and make policy updates as needed. If you have any questions about in-person convenings or the Center’s COVID-19 policies, please contact, David Nehrt-Flores, Deaconess Center Director at davidn@deaconess.org
Congratulations Matt Oldani!

Join us in congratulating Matt Oldani, Deaconess' Vice President of Operations, on passing the Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP) exam! The CNAP program is designed to recognize excellence in the not-for-profit industry through comprehensive qualification, training, and examination.
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Dutchtown South Community Corporation (DSCC)’s mission is to advance neighborhood vitality through community empowerment, housing stabilization and real estate development. Their work addresses disparities faced by marginalized communities in the Dutchtown, Marine Villa, Mount Pleasant, Gravois Park, and Benton Park West neighborhoods of the City of St. Louis. The majority of residents are Black, are paid low wages, and face multiple environmental challenges that are compounded by poverty including limited access to adequate health care and other necessities. DSCC works closely with local organizations to combat the effects of environmental racism that disproportionately impact residents. Together they create community-based, policy solutions to hold elected officials accountable.

Deaconess Foundation provides funding to DSCC through its Responsive Grant portfolio to support general operations. Learn more about DSCC here
PARTNERS IN THE NEWS
STL Regional Health Commission partners with Alive and Well

Partners work to end health disparities

St. Louis American Staff | The St. Louis American | March 24, 2023

The St. Louis Regional Health Commission and Alive and Well have recently partnered in the effort to eliminate health disparities throughout the state.

Founded in 2001, RHC addressed the crisis in access to care after the region’s remaining St. Louis Regional Medical Center closed.

In 2017, AWC spun off from the RHC and formed as a statewide non-profit to address the impact of stress and trauma on health outcomes. The organization works in partnership with communities in St. Louis, Kansas City and Southeast Missouri (“the Bootheel”) where poor health outcomes and health disparities continue to persist.

“The RHC historically has been focused on improving access to care for low-income residents of St. Louis City and County,” said Angela Brown, CEO of the RHC. "With the expansion of Medicaid and the subsequent closure of the Gateway to Better Health program, we are accelerating our work to eliminate health disparities across the state of Missouri." Read more.
PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES & EVENTS
Upcoming Opportunities & Events

May 4: DRT Monthly Movement Meeting & Power Mapping by Defend. Re-envision. Transform. Register.

May 5: Deadline to apply to Black Organizing Summer School (BOSS) by Action St. Louis. Apply.

May 6: DRT Abolition Training by Defend. Re-envision. Transform. Register.

May 11 (Bi-Monthly): We Keep Us Safe: Power Builders Meeting by Freedom Community Center. Register.

May 19: May Friday Forum - Legislative Wrap Up by Empower Missouri. Register.

May 29: Black Owned Farm Tour by Rustic Roots Sanctuary. Register.

June 3: Transformational Justice Expo by United Congregations of Metro East. Save the Date.

Saturday, May 13
&
Saturday, October 7 

Take part in celebrating the North Central Plan's wins, identifying challenges, and developing solutions together. Residents and stakeholders of the Covenant Blu Grand Center and Vandeventer neighborhoods are invited to discuss the future of your community through the North Central Plan People’s Assembly.

View the Needs and Offers Dashboard (includes a submission form for requests) to track activities for the North Central Plan's activities. This dashboard lists needs to be expressed by participants at the last meeting and will be expanded as meetings continue.

 Register to attend. Childcare provided.
Follow North Central Plan on social media for updates!
Now Hiring

Arch City Defenders Paralegal, Managing Paralegal, 2 Case Managers, Civil Rights & Systemic Litigation Attorney, Direct Representation Attorney – Holistic Legal Advocacy (Criminal & Municipal), Direct Representation Criminal & Municipal Attorney & Expungement Coordinator

CASA of St. Louis – Development Specialist and Case Advocacy Supervisor

Homes For All St. Louis – Tenant Defense Lawyer

Missouri Jobs with Justice – Fund Development Associate
MEDIA THAT HELPS US GROW
Black-Owned Pharmacy Breaking Barriers in St. Louis | City of St. Louis | February 2023

Honoring and Supporting Women of Color Leaders | Stanford Social Innovation Review | April 2023

Black Maternal Health Week Pushes for Maternal Equity | The St. Louis Post-Dispatch | April 2023
LEGISLATIVE WATCH
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION IN MISSOURI
In March, the Missouri House of Representatives passed a $45 billion FY 2024 state budget that blocked funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and efforts across the state (watch).

Deaconess Partner Missouri Budget Project circulated a sign-on letter addressed to the Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee raising appropriate concerns and highlighting the consequential effects of the House’s action. More than 200 nonprofit and business leaders across the state signed the letter. The relentless advocacy on this issue led to the Senate Appropriation Committee's removal of the harmful language from the state budget bills.

Advocacy efforts will continue as the bills move forward in the legislative process.
ICYMI: Rev. Bethany Johnson-Javois'
Pastoral Installation
Join us in celebrating the installation of Rev. Bethany Johnson-Javois as the pastor of Monument of Faith Church in Jennings, MO on Sunday, April 30th.
Follow us on social media for continued shared news, opportunities, events, and more.